Slow Cookers - Any Good?

[gscrym]

Are these worth buying? I was considering getting one in an attempt for me and DH to eat a bit better. Does the stuff taste okay after cooking for 8 hours. If yes, it would be great for my dayshifts. At least I'd come home to a proper cooked dinner.

Call for slow cooker advice here: I've been experimenting with mine since AuntyQuated kindly sent me the instructions and recipes for it. Everything I've done has tasted fine but the meat and chicken have had a weird texture...not tough but not tender either, a bit stringy...and the flavour seems to be all in the sauce, while the meat/poultry is bland. I've tried browning first - what am I doing wrong? Help me O wise ones, before I give up and go back to supermarket curries and sky-high cholesterol....

fairydust i always use a packet mix in with mine. maybe that's the secret eemie, the meat tastes fine but yes it does have a strange texture. tukey is particularly bad, i w don't do it in there anymore. try reducing your cooking time.

btw i only use packets with 3/4 pint of fluid as any less is too little
haven't tried jars

You could marinate the meat overnight - in whatever you will be cooking it in and some herbs/spices. Can't say I've ever had a problem with teh meat being funny textured?? Not sure what to advise...

the packets of stuff probably have a high salt content, which can make meat tough i believe.

Soapbox - any chance of some veggie recipes for the slow cooker? I had a look on that link but there wasn't very many. I would really appreciate it if you get the time.

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Taramac - just seen this! Have been away all day at meetings - boring

I'll just grab the books and have a flick through and get back to you!

There a loads of them...

From Sarah Lewis - slowcooker

Warm beetroot and brown bean salad
Gingered chickpeas with Coconut and Lime rice
Mushroom and cannellini bean stroganoff
Cauliflower balti
Chakchouka (ratatuille with eggs)
Split pea sofrito
Pumkin and carrot cobbler
Pistachio and apricot pilaf
sweet potato and chestnut jollof
Green bean risotto with pesto
Chilli black bean stew

Also loads of nice dessert ideas

From Gina Steer - the slowcooker cookbook

Pepper and red kidney bean rice
Vegetable goulash
Stuffed peppers
Courgettes with apple and hazlenut stuffing
Warm bean and pumkin salad
Moroccan hot pot
Spicy vegetables with coconut
Ratatouille with kidney beans
Barbequed beans
Stuffed acorn squash
Mushroom medley
Winter vegetable casserole
Slow cooked red cabbage
Three bean lasagna
Tuscan bean stew.

Phew.....

If you want any of the recipes then CAT me with you address. I'll take the books to work next week, photocopy the recipes and send them to you

Thankyou so much soapbox - much appreciated. Thanks for your kind offer but I think I might just buy them myself!! They certainly seem to be good books. Thanks again.